[…] weekend trips for weddings. I was able to reminisce over recent trips to London, Paris and Italy with some blog posts!! And even celebrated Round Trip’s first birthday a month ago. Looking […]

Blazing heat overwhelmed my tired frame, but nonetheless the lush, rolling landscapes took my breath away. By the end of my 10 day European tour, I was exhausted. Early alarms set for 4 a.m. to make the journey from London to Paris. Late nights giggling with my roomies in our hotel in Paris. Miles and miles (and miles!!) of walking. So, when our night train pulled into the station in Milan, we all arrived in a fog (which probably stemmed from the fact that the previous night had probably been one of the worst experiences of my life). But our fatigue quickly met the absolutely stunning sights in Italy. Here’s a brief guide to Italy beyond pizza and the Pope.
Sights:
Even if you’re not Catholic, a trip to the Vatican Museum is definitely worth the time. Beautiful art ranging from the Sistine Chapel to the Pietà by Michelangelo to The School of Athens by Raphael all take residence in this place.
Activities:
I’m the kind of the person who likes to do, to see, to visit, to learn, to check boxes off aka I’m definitely a busy body. But to be honest, the most memorable and enjoyable experience I had from my time in Italy wasn’t on the itinerary. While my friends either konked out from sleep deprivation or took the pictures of the first group drooling on our several hour bus ride from Assisi to Rome, I pulled out my headphones and got cozy in my window seat. Just jamming to Coldplay’s Ghost Stories along with my Taylor Swift tunes while watching the scenery roll by before my eyes was the highlight. After a long trip, my body enjoyed the A/C and the time off my aching feet, but it’s also not like I can exactly see this kind of drop-dead gorgeous setting anywhere near me back home.
You’ve heard the rumors, and yes, they’re true. Italy has wonderful food, and you will tell yourself that all those miles you’ve walked justify the ungodly amount of gelato you will demolish. So, first off, yeah, you gotta eat pizza, pasta, risotto and all that good stuff. Just so you can mentally prepare yourself, gelato stores are, well, not exactly few and far between so pack your sweet tooth. The best gelato I had was at a place right outside the Duomo in Florence: one scoop of chocolate chip, another of Nutella. I repeat: they make Nutella gelato! Absolutely wonderful and unforgettable!
Tips:
Finally, a few tips for logistics. If you plan on visiting any basilica or religious building, pack clothes accordingly, meaning these places often require women to cover their knees and shoulders. Maxi skirts and scarves (to throw over your shorts) work wonderfully! Another thing to keep in mind would be the insane amount of pickpockets. So, keep an eye on your bags. A cross body bag is fabulous as you can keep it right at your side versus a backpack which is mostly unattended. Finally, Italy is an oven. And no, not a nice, happy pizza oven. You. Will. Bake. Pack a hat, sunscreen and deodorant. ‘Nuff said.
After all these tips, don’t forget to take a break from your Nikon lense to actually see all these wonderful places and beautiful sceneries with your own two eyes. Oh, and get ready for some mouthwatering pepperoni pizza and Nutella gelato.
Ciao,
K